by Shaquanda Mattox

Created on: December 11, 2009

        According to Aristotle, a tragic hero or heroine is the central character in a tragedy for whom events end disastrously. To be a tragic hero you must have four major qualities. Goodness, be a good person at heart; superiority, must stand higher than others in society. Also a tragic hero must have a tragic flaw and tragic realization. Oedipus is a tragic hero because he exhibits all four of the qualifications to be a tragic hero.

        Oedipus shows goodness throughout the story. "You came to us once and liberated our city, you freed us from the tribute which we paid that cruel singer, the sphinx" (3) says the priest to Oedipus. He did a good deed when he released the city. Oedipus says to Creon "The sorrows of my people here mean more to me than any fear I may have for my own life" (6). He puts his people before himself.
        Superiority is demonstrated throughout Oedipus the King by Sophocles. In the story Oedipus is referred to as the king constantly, the highest of social status'. Oedipus states, "But now I am in command" (16). referring to himself. Tiresias exclaims to Oedipus "King though you are,..." (28) because Oedipus is the king of Thebes. Creon clearly states to Oedipus, "And you rule Thebes..." (39). It is clear that Oedipus is superior in his society. 
        Tragic Flaw is a character trait that is normally good to have but in a tragedy, is also what helps bring about the character's downfall. Oedipus' tragic flaw is determination. Oedipus declares "I shall be the defender of Thebes " (10). When Oedipus declares himself defender of Thebes, it reveals his tragic flaw. He is determined to defend Thebes at all costs. Tiresisas blurts out, "You are the murderer..." (23) when talking to Oedipus. Prior to Tiresias saying this,  Oedipus proclaimed "...if anyone knows the identity of the murderer,..." (14) determined to find who murdered Laius.  Determination is Oedipus' tragic flaw.
        Tragic realization comes into play when Oedipus realizes who the murderer is, and it is him. Oedipus wails, "O god! It has all come true. Light, let this be the last time i see you. I stand revealed— born in shame, married in shame, an unnatural murderer" (89). When Oedipus realizes that he was the killer, he was determined to find, he gauges his eyes out. "...and speared the pupils of his eyes" (93), the Messenger tells the Chorus Leader. So, Oedipus blinds himself.
        In conclusion, Oedipus is a proven Tragic Hero. He has all four qualities of the tragic hero Aristotle described. Oedipus shows goodness, superiority, he has a tragic flaw and a tragic realization.               

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